Using his chakra threads, Kankurō pulls Zaji away in time as Ittan adjusts the terrain to their advantage with his Earth Release: Moving Earth Core technique, although Muta dies from the explosion. With barely any time to relent, the team is set upon again by Ranka and Tokuma, their fellow comrades who are also being manipulated by Sasori. Omoi tries to use his Cloud-Style Crescent Moon Beheading technique to fend them off, but is saved by Sai, who arrives in time to deflect a secondary attack by Shin, whom Sai is shocked to see. Omoi is shocked when he finds out that Shin is Sai's brother while Shin tells Sai to run away as they cannot be killed.

Omoi becomes enraged that the Akatsuki would use such underhanded tactics as to have them fight their family and comrades and launches another attack on Deidara using his Cloud-Style Reverse Beheading technique, although the attack is a trick that frees Tokuma and Ranka from Sasori's control. Using this opportunity, Ittan raises the earth as Kankurō connects his chakra threads to Sasori's severed ones and pulls him down into the ground, causing him to crash into Deidara. As Sasori praises Kankurō's skill, Kankurō reminisces on their lastmeeting and unveils his Sasori puppet to use against Sasori himself.